Chapter 15: Chapter 15

-14-Arrival of Mother.

"Christian's mother-in-law's hatred for him was less strong than her love for her daughter." [Author]

"Thank you, doctor," Riley said gratefully.

"It's okay Young lady. But he might have few symptoms of memory loss. So, I would suggest him to undergo blood tests. Nothing to worry about. In most cases, the test comes out to be fine. It’s just precautionary, So don't worry about it."

"Okay Doctor, Thank you once again." She said again

"It's Okay, Take care of him." The doctor advised her and left.

Her attention drifted to the nurse who was pushing Christian out on a stretcher From ICU. When Riley saw him, her eyes went red. She wanted to touch him but was stopped by the nurse.

"Sorry mam, You can't touch him yet. Otherwise, there is a possibility of infection."

There was a white gauze wrapped around Christian's forehead, and his face appeared to be bloodless. His left leg and arm were in a cast. Moreover, there were some minor cuts and injuries on his face. Riley clenched her tiny fists. Somewhere in her heart, she was hurting.

Glancing at the young lady, Nurse felt a little bad for stopping her to meet her husband. But it was her duty, moreover, she will have to make herself strong for her husband. Afterward, the Nurse took Christian to another ward.

Her attention drifted to the people coming and going from the hospital. Even on a day of winters, There were so many people coming.

Just When She wanted to sit down, She saw her mother walking down the area of reception. She was wearing a black turtle neck top and pants. Her black hair sort of styled messily like she didn't have the time to style them, but she still looked beautiful. Her tall stature of 5 feet 6 inches and the cold look in her gorgeous black eyes were her mother's signature look. But Only Riley and her father knew the cold look was just a facade, to keep people at bay.

Milly looked at her daughter's pain striking face and tried to smile a little. Her cold gaze instantly filled with warmth.

…

That was the moment When Riley lost it. She cried hugging her mother tightly. She now remembered the saying that said 'Tears are not weakness, instead Tears mean that you are so heavy in your heart that you can't hold it in. That you wish someone to share with, Sometimes we carry that burden alone and then sometimes we share the pain with someone we trust.

Milly hugged her daughter until Riley's sobbing turned into little whimpers.

It took Riley half an hour to calm down, Nonetheless, Her mother was quiet throughout the whole ordeal.

When She looked up at her mother, her beautiful face was contorted into a scowl.

Milly looked down at her daughter, condescendingly, as if she didn't like her crying for someone else. She was disappointed in her. Yet she knew it wasn't the time for complaining. Neither was the time to voice out her disappointment.

Riley felt her mother's emotions Riley and waited for her to speak. They often had a disconnect When Riley was younger but they never let that come in between their bond. However, today was different, She knew what she did was unforgivable.

When Milly saw how she was waiting for her to speak. She spoke slowly.

"Riley. How did it happen?"

Riley answered truthfully. "Mom, After your call, Dad called me. He...He was angry and disappointed, he didn't listen to me and hung up. So I decided to go to the office. However, Mindy. My husband. He was stressed. So he thought it would be better for him to accompany me. Just When we were On the highway, Someone pushed me in front of a car. That car was going to hit me but at the last moment, Mindy. Suddenly He pushed me away from the car. But he...

Her lips quivered. Yet she continued 'wasn't able to save himself and was severely hit. it's my fault Mom"

She tried to calm herself enough to say these words, but they slightly trembled as they came which showed her grievances.

"Shhh. Ril-boo, it isn't your fault! it was just an accident." Milly embraced her daughter lovingly.

'Milly was in a bad mood since she heard her Baby had married a beggar. Yet seeing how much he loves her. That he can even sacrifice his life for her. She was moved. Even she and her father wouldn't be able to find a better life partner for their little girl.'

Milly's hands gradually loosened her hand from the hug, and her expression slowly eased. She looked into her daughter's beautiful drowning black eyes and felt a little helpless as she said in a softer voice.

"Ril-boo. How's he now?

Riley bit her lip and stared at her with tears in her eyes.

"He's out of danger. But Doctor said I need to wait for some time to meet him."

Milly looked at her lovingly. After a while, She said only one thing,

"I would like to meet him, But first you have to eat Ril-boo."

Riley was stunned. 'Did Her Mom said what she heard. Does that mean she is not angry anymore?'

Her mother turned around and left. However, just a few moments later she returned with a bag full of food.

Riley stopped and looked at her Mother. She could still recall the first time she had met her. it was the Day of September When her father invited Milly for dinner at their home. She had been so amazed by her black eyes. They were so beautiful, drowning even. That she the five-year-old girl wanting to touch them. She had cried out. Regardless of what her friends had warned her. They had told her so many stories of how an evil stepmother killed her daughter. She was afraid of getting killed. She was so distressed that She has thrown so many tantrums on her father and had cried her lungs out to stop him. However, for the first time in her five years of life her, father, had disregarded her interest and made an appointment with Milly.

She was heartbroken Yet when they met, Milly disappointed her to her possible expectations. But that was a kind of disappointment she loved to this day in her life.

She came out of her daydreaming when Milly spoke, In a gentle tone.

"Baby let's go to the Cafeteria."

To which she uttered a small

"Yes."

Her food evoked a sweet kind of nostalgia for her. Milly had always reconstructed her favorite dishes for her. Food Connected them and that might be why she always packed it for her.

Riley and her Mother ate in silence. After lunch, They were walking in the garden, when suddenly Milly spoke again.

"Tell me, Riley. Do you love him?"

"I...Mom."

"Just tell me the truth."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Their talking was cut short by a nurse. Who summoned them That they can see him now.

She and her mother walked up to the room Christian was transferred to When her mother suddenly turned around and left her not before saying. "You take your time. I will meet him when he will be conscious."

Riley seemed to hesitate for a few seconds before slowly nodding and walking into the hospital room.

She never thought a stranger's wounds can hurt her as much as they did. The sight in front of her was heartbreaking. The beggar was surrounded by instruments and if it was not for the faint breath he was heaving. No-One could believe he was alive.

Riley Now understood, very well that the beggar was not bluffing when he said 'he liked her.' He truly did. Thinking of which she decided to give him a chance.